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Commercial relations

Trade and Investment

Germany has the largest economy in the European Union and the fourth largest in the world. Germany is Canada's eighth-largest export market and ranks fourth among Canada's suppliers. Canada's bilateral trade with Germany has grown considerably since German reunification: Canadian imports from Germany rose from $3.8 billion in 1990 to $15.4 billion in 2013, while Canadian exports rose from $2.2 billion in 1990 to nearly $3.5 billion in 2013.

With estimated assets of $11.7 billion in 2012, Germany is the tenth largest foreign direct investor in Canada. At the same time, Canadian firms hold $7.4 billion in assets in Germany. Most multinational German companies are represented in Canada, including such well- known names as Bayer, BASF, Siemens, Daimler, Mannesmann and Thyssen-Krupp. The majority of the eight-hundred German subsidiaries in Canada, however, are medium-sized (Mittelstand) firms, with 1,500 locations throughout the country. Many Canadian companies have holdings in Germany, to take advantage of market opportunities there and in surrounding countries. Notable investors include Rio Tinto Alcan, Research in Motion, CAE Electronics, Bombardier, Pratt and Whitney, Trizec Hahn and Magna.

Germany is host to the world's oldest, largest and most important trade fairs. As more than ninety percent of new products and technologies are introduced into the German market via trade fairs, it is highly advisable to Canadian firms to exhibit or visit the relevant fairs. As many of these are truly international, Canadian exporters can also establish contact with potential customers from many other countries during these events.

Science and Technology

Since 1971, researchers from Canada and Germany have collaborated in joint projects under the bilateral Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement. This has resulted in the sharing of scientific expertise and research facilities and the co-financing of joint research and development projects. More than 500 projects in more than a dozen different fields of science and research have been completed and there are generally about 100 joint projects underway at any given time. Financial support and a network of coordinators in both countries have facilitated this cooperation.